2 syllables: As, suage. Stress on suage.
uh-SWAYJ
/əˈsweɪdʒ/
Assuage is pronounced uh-SWAYJ (/əˈsweɪdʒ/). It has two syllables (As-suage), with the stress on "suage". Assuage (ə-SWAYJ) is a verb meaning to lessen or relieve something, such as pain, fear, or a concern. It implies calming or satisfying a need or doubt, often through words or actions. In formal contexts, it can describe soothing an emotion or easing a situation; in everyday speech, it can mean to appease or placate to some degree.
nounAssuage (ə-SWAYJ) is a verb meaning to lessen or relieve something, such as pain, fear, or a concern. It implies calming or satisfying a need or doubt, often through words or actions. In formal contexts, it can describe soothing an emotion or easing a situation; in everyday speech, it can mean to appease or placate to some degree.
"To the nurse’s careful explanation, the patient felt his anxiety begin to assuage."
"Her gentle assurances helped to assuage his fears about the upcoming procedure."
"The manager offered a sincere apology to assuage the team’s frustration."
Pronounce it as ə-SWEIJ or ə-ˈsweɪdʒ in IPA. The primary stress lands on the second syllable: as-SU-age. Start with a schwa in the first syllable, then the long “a” as in “bay,” followed by a final “j” sound (dg as in “edge”). Think: uh-SWAYJ. You’ll hear it as-swayj in careful speech; in rapid speech it can reduce to uh-SWAYJ with less emphasis on the first vowel.
Common errors: 1) Misplacing the stress on the first syllable opposite of the target; 2) Using a flat ‘j’ at the end instead of the voiced palato-alveolar affricate /dʒ/; 3) Pronouncing the sequence as-’ass-you-age’ with a heavy /s/ and /j/ separation. Correction: place primary stress on the second syllable and blend the final /dʒ/ with the preceding /eɪ/ glide: /əˈsweɪdʒ/. Practice by saying ‘uh-SWAYJ’ smoothly in one beat.
In US/UK/AU most use /əˈsweɪdʒ/. Rhotic differences don’t affect this word’s vowel class; however, UK might realize a slightly clearer vowel in the second syllable due to non-rhotic tendencies, yet the /ˈweɪ/ diphthong remains. Australian often features a very clear, rounded /ɔ/ in some speakers but generally retains /əˈsweɪdʒ/. Overall, all three share the same core /əˈsweɪdʒ/ with minor vowel quality shifts.
The challenge lies in the two-phoneme cluster /sweɪdʒ/ after the initial schwa, requiring accurate articulation of /s/, the long /eɪ/ diphthong, and the final /dʒ/ as in ‘edge’ rather than a soft ‘j’ or ‘zh’ sound. Coordinating the stress on the second syllable while keeping the first syllable unstressed can be tricky in connected speech. Practicing the glide from /s/ to /weɪ/ to /dʒ/ helps. IPA: /əˈsweɪdʒ/.
A unique aspect is the non-initial stress pattern causing the first syllable to be a schwa, which can lead non-native speakers to emphasize it with too much volume. Also, the 'ed' in -age is pronounced as a /dʒ/ sound; some learners mispronounce as /dʒeɪdʒ/ or /eɪdʒ/ if they mis-handle the ending. The recommended form is /əˈsweɪdʒ/ with a smooth transition from /ˈ/ to /dʒ/.
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- US: /əˈsweɪdʒ/ with rhoticity affecting the vowel length only marginally; ensure sonority on the /dʒ/ and avoid over-aspiration. - UK: /əˈsweɪdʒ/ with a slightly crisper consonant release; midfield vowel quality in the /eɪ/; avoid overly rounded lips. - AU: /əˈsweɪdʒ/ similar to US; can be slightly more centralized in the schwa; minimal differences but keep the /dʒ/ clearly voiced. IPA references: US /əˈsweɪdʒ/, UK /əˈsweɪdʒ/, AU /əˈsweɪdʒ/.
Assuage originates from Middle English assoigen, later evolving through Old French assoagier, from Latin assuag- “soaked, softened,” from assuāre, meaning “to sweeten, to make easy.” The root asse- (toward, unto) combined with -uag- from Latin suā- “sweet, pleasing” (related to suāvis ‘sweet’). In Proto-Italic, the sentiment of soothing or softening is evident in related forms used in law or medicine to ease a burden. By the 14th century, English usage had shifted to the current sense of reducing intensity of pain, fear, or doubt, especially through reassurance or mitigation. The word traversed into legal and rhetorical prose during the Renaissance, maintaining a formal tone, and today it appears in both literary and everyday discourse, retaining the core idea of easing discomfort or concern, often through persuasive or comforting means.
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Words that rhyme with "Assuage"
-age sounds
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